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Official message: Air quality warning issued for Chicago area – NBC Chicago

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Due to increasing heat and humidity in the Chicago area, an air quality alert has been issued as authorities warn of elevated ozone and particulate matter levels.

According to the National Weather Service, the warning applies to much of the Chicago area, including McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy, Cook and Will counties.

The warning will remain in effect until at least midnight Sunday. However, air quality concerns will continue at least until Monday, as the Illinois State Department of Environmental Protection has declared Monday an air pollution action day.

According to officials, an air quality warning is issued when “conditions are such that widespread ozone and/or particulate matter levels are expected to reach or exceed the category harmful to sensitive groups for several days.”

According to AirNow, the Chicago area is forecast to have an air quality index (AQI) between 100 and 150 on Sunday afternoon and Monday.

People with lung diseases and other risk factors such as asthma, children and adolescents, older adults and people who regularly spend six or more hours outdoors a day should reduce their time outdoors during the alert level, according to the authorities.

You should also consider reducing the time you are active while the alarm is active.

The AQI is measured by five major air pollutants, including ground-level ozone, particle pollution and others. Ozone levels tend to be higher during hot spells, and when residents use air conditioning in their homes and businesses, more particle pollution is created.

For more information on air quality, visit the AirNow website.

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